Good old NHS

[davina61]

Well the GP phoned me about the GIC forms, cant get any HRT as its a funding thing!!!! Sounds like they would have but not suicidal or self medicating , mind you if it takes much longer who knows . 

[Kylo]

Not as far as I know, you pay for the HRT yourself with prescription charges. Are you sure they didn't mean surgery? Because that does require an application for funding.

[Elis]

Maybe it's a funding thing because they have to send blood tests results to the GIC and get their say so on dosages and such? Even so doesn't make much sense; bet they wouldn't be saying that if a cis woman needed estrogen. Don't give up; this may help http://transfigurations.org.uk/trans-friendly-doctors/

[Kylo]

I think you should check again directly with the GIC. Call them. Ask them if this is the case. GPs can be woefully uninformed about the whole process.

[Laura_Ann]

Sounds a bit strange, mind you it is getting to the end of their yearly budget, and agreed give the gic a call x

[Shy]

Yes, they have to apply for funding. I had pretty much the same response.

Sadie

[davina61]

Need to wait till payday (Friday) to make sure £200 bonus has come through then maybe I can go down the (rip off) Gender GP route or just wait for Northampton GIC to reply , not holding my breath on that one.

[Kylo]

I am not sure how far you are into the process, but there is a wait between the 1st GP contact to the GIC taking you on as a patient - in my case it was 10 months. It has gone up since then considering how stretched NHS resources seem to be. However - this is the longest part of the wait, once the first appointment comes through and you get seen by a psychotherapist(s) things can speed up somewhat. It will still be some time before seeing the supervising doctor for the final decision on HRT, though (another 10 months in my case).

You should still be able to phone the GIC in question for some clarification or advice in the meantime, though. That's what they pay the person at the reception for. . .

[davina61]

The response I got from Nottingham was2years and DONT get it touch till we contact you, must be swamped . Need to wait for Northampton now

[coldHeart]

I really hope I don't have to wait that long, the poor NHS is at it's knees & I think like us are low on there lists which is bad.

[Kylo]

The response I got from Nottingham was2years and DONT get it touch till we contact you, must be swamped . Need to wait for Northampton now

Ah, I see. Yes, in that case it'll be because the referral numbers are 400-500% up on what they were two years ago, so I heard.

It is quicker if you go privately, if that is at all an option for you. Much quicker than the NHS is becoming, I imagine.